The essence of an oxymoron

Shyness ... a case of rung-upmanship on the non-shy clobberers. Photograph: Kelly Redinger/Rex Features

Has anyone ever put together a ranking of the world's most honest politicians? Who headed the pack?

The Queensland politician Pauline Hanson stood on a platform to reduce immigration and to reduce government assistance to Aborigines. When she was elected as MP for the seat of Oxley, she was given the popular nickname of the Oxleymoron.David Isaacs, Sydney, Australia

• It would be a very short list indeed as "honest politician" is the essence of an oxymoron. The leader of the pack is most likely lost to the sands of time.Doreen Forney, Pownal, Vermont, US

• It is rumoured that there is an "Honest Politician" book in every government debating chamber. After an election, new names are added to the book. When someone takes the oath of allegiance, their name is struck off.Paul Lloyd, Swansea, UK

• To be honest I can't imagine such a ranking. No doubt many politicians start out as honest but the pressures of their party and the wish to keep their job cause most to become "economical with the truth" over time.Margaret Wilkes, Cottesloe, Perth, Western Australia

• It would be a short list, but I believe Peter Carington (foreign secretary under Margaret Thatcher) deserves to be high on it because of his resignation over the Argentinian invasion of the Falklands when no one considered he was at fault; he simply felt it was still his responsibility.Nigel Grinter, Buffalo Grove, IL, US

• Sadly there are no entries on the list. You might think George Washington would make it ("I cannot tell a lie") but that was a passing phase in his childhood and before he'd thought of a career.Alan Williams-Key, Madrid, Spain

• Diogenes tried unsuccessfully in the 5th century BC, emerging in daytime from the tub in Athens where he lived, carrying a lantern and looking for an honest man. There are no reports that any politicians qualified, and they have not improved over the centuries. The "short list" might be hard to compile. Joan Dawson, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

A round for the world?

It may not be love or money, so what's making the world go round?

I don't know but that extra shot of tequila last night certainly had the room spinning effectively.Stuart Williams, Kampala, Uganda

• The love of money.Jennifer Horat, Lengwil, Switzerland

• The same force we see at work in banking, politics and government – spin!Terence Rowell, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

A sense of perspective

In evolutionary terms, is shyness a good thing?

Indeed it is! The shy are inconspicuous as they sneak their way up the evolutionary ladder while the non-shy clobber each other into extinction.Reiner Jaakson, Oakville, Ontario, Canada